West Edmonton Mall - Theme Sculpture

A few weeks ago I had visited the West Edmonton Mall for the first time in a long time, and the experience left an indelible mark on me. I was walking by the themed sculpture and structures that make up Galaxy Land, and Professor WEM's mini golf, when my jaw dropped. These were the usual attractions that I had already seen well over a dozen times as a younger kid, but this time, for some reason, as a 22 year old, it was different. I felt like I was seeing them all over again and with brand new eyes. The whimisical structures of Professor WEMs mini golf, with its red tiled roofing, vibrant paintwork, and the captivating dirigiable, all struck something within me at the core of my being as an artist.

"Woah!" I hollered out, observing each and every detail running to and fro to get all-around views. Somewhere amidst that frenzied passion, i realized something -- this is exactly the kind of work i'd like to pursue as a career. And suddenly a cascade of possibility and curiosity came flooding through me. I had so many questions, and there I stood, awestruck thinking to myself: "SOMEONE made these". and maybe i could be another one who does the same fulfilling creative dreams for that kid within me and the next generation of kids.

I returned home with a plethora of photos of my new finding, and began a frenzied search on my computer to figure out what this discipline was even called. I learned more about Theme Park design and eventually came across Imagination Corporation, the company that created the structures at the mall. I learned more about Dan Sawatsky, who had started the company, and while reading his posts and behind the scenes, I was completely inspired and even more so to know he's also based in Canada. I had so many questions about this field and I knew that this was someone i wanted to meet, learn more about and seek guidance from....but how? I decided to send him an email, introducingm myself and my work, and letting him know of the impact/impression that seeing his work had one me.

He called me. We chatted for a while, and he was pretty impressed with who i was and the things i have done already. I got to hear some of his stories, and then he invited me, if i were in the area, to come by for a visit of his Workshop in Chiliwack, BC.

Well, in the area i would be! After inquiring into his schedule, I booked a flight 2 weeks later, and 1 more week later, there i was in chiliwack, British Columbia, driving up on the footsteps of Imagination Corporation .

"I've got to recognize and honour this calling'' i had thought to myself, ''and that means pursuring it faithfully, even if it might seem crazy.''

This kind of trusting my instinct though has been something that's guided me along many new and exciting paths, and i knew that if i were going to learn a thing or two about this new field, it would start with Imagination Corporation.

Read part two here.